During the Interview

1. During the Interview

2. Points to remember • Drink water, take a deep breath and say to yourself “I will do well in this interview” • Switch off your mobile phone before you enter the room • As soon as you enter the room, smile, shake hands with the interview (if possible) and say your name • Make eye contact with the interview/s and show confidence • Smile and give regular feedback • Try to be less formal but avoid being too familiar.

3. Body Language • Do not show disinterest or disregard , at any time. • Distribute your attention to all interviewers, if there are more than one. • Be attentive at all times and show genuine interest in the interview. • Sit up straight in your chair – don’t slouch and don’t sit at the edge of the chair, either. • Keep your feet flat on the ground, slightly apart - maintain a 90 degree position – ankles, knees, waist, elbows, shoulders and even chin. • Always watch for signals and give positive signals, yourself.

4. Answering questions • Always wait for the interview to complete the question and listen carefully. • Let the interviewer talk as much as he/she wants to because that would give you time to think and shift the pressure off you. • Always address the prompt – start by repeating the main part of the question and even end your answer by reinforcing it. • Don’t talk too much or too less. • Try to answer most questions in about 1 – 1 ½ minute. • Don’t hesitate to clarify a question or repeat/ rephrase it.

5. Language hints • Use sentence markers and make lists. • Explain with examples and analogies. • Use simple and effective words and phrases. • Be precise and to the point – don’t ramble and dodge the question. • Speak slowly and clearly – don’t talk too fast. • Don’t say anything negative or controversial. • Show confidence, not arrogance. • Be assertive, not rude. • Show humility, not passivity.

6. Final Pointers • Take time to answer the question asked – it’s better to give an appropriate answer after thinking than to rush with an inappropriate one. • Be calm and confident at all times – it helps the interviews make a better judgment of you. • Give examples of your skills and explain how you demonstrated them – don’t just list them. • You can use a bit of humour to lighten the situation, but don’t try to be funny. • Be ready with appropriate questions to ask the interviewer/s, at the end of the interview. • Thank the interviewer/s at the end of the interview.